Roman-Catholick principles in reference to God and the King explained in a letter to a friend and now made publick to shew the connexion between the said principles and the late Popish plot. Corker, James Maurus, 1636-1715. 1680 Approx. 46 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 12 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2008-09 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A34571 Wing C6303 ESTC R29274 11062367 ocm 11062367 46200 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A34571) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 46200) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1421:1) Roman-Catholick principles in reference to God and the King explained in a letter to a friend and now made publick to shew the connexion between the said principles and the late Popish plot. Corker, James Maurus, 1636-1715. M. B. The third edition, revised. 20, [1] p. s.n.], [London : 1680. Signed: M.B. Reproduction of original in the British Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Catholic Church -- Controversial literature. Popish Plot, 1678. Anti-Catholicism -- England. 2006-08 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2006-09 Aptara Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-02 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2007-02 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion Roman-Catholick PRINCIPLES , In Reference to God and the King , Explained in a LETTER to a Friend , And now made Publick to shew the Connexion between the said PRINCIPLES , And the Late POPISH PLOT . The Third Edition , Revised . Matth. 22. v. 21. Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar's , and and unto God the things that are God's . John 11. v. 48. If we let him thus alone , all men will believe on him , and the Romans shall come and take away both our Place & Nation . Printed in the Year , 1680. SIR , I Find your last as full of Doubts and Inquietudes , as your former was of Heat and Zeal : Whether meer Compassion hath altered your Judgement , or that You Fear your own Turn may be next , I cannot tell ; But I easily percieve , You , and the greatest part of Honest Thinking Protestants , as well as You , begin , ( tho late , ) ) to suspect , That Catholicks have Wrongfully Suffered the loss of their Fame , their Goods , their Fortunes , and many their Lives . Nor do I wonder to see you touch'd with some Concern at our Miseries ; For besides the sad Spectacles of Bloodshed , ( which I mention without any Resentment , or Disrespect to the Government , ) the Prisons have been filled with Us , whole Families Ruined and Exiled ; poor Widows and Innocent Orphans have Perished through Distress , the very Woods and Desarts have not wanted Men Dying with Cold and Hunger ; And all this upon account of a PLOT , ( Horrid indeed , and Detestable in it self , ) but which could never yet be Prov'd against Us , by any One Credible Witness , or Probable Circumstance evincing the Crime . True it is , Dr. Oates , Captain Bedloe , and others of Debauch'd Lives , and Desperate Fortunes , have Positively Sworn , ( if bare Positive Swearing , without any other Probability of Truth , may stand for good Evidence , ) to a multiplicity of Particulars . But these Men have been , and still are , so notoriously stigmatiz'd with all sorts of Vice and Infamy ; Their Oaths have been Confronted with so many Self-contradictions ; Their Forgeries accompanyed with such Incredible , such Impossible Circumstances ; Their Lies and Fables so stuffed with Absurdities , Non-sense , and Follies ; The Crime of Perjury so often , and so plainly prov'd against them . In short , both their Past and Present Villanies are now become so Apparent and Perspicuous , that the greatest part of the Nation hath an Abhorrence of Them. But You tell me , ( and You are in the right , ) That the Thing which hath rendred Credible the Testimony of otherwise Incredible Witnesses , against Us , and which hath Invalidated all contrary Evidence given in our behalf , is a Persuasion many Protestants have , That the Catholick Religion is made up of Traiterous Principles , Destructive to Peace and Government . You say You have been Inform'd by Common Report , by Printed Books ; Nay , by some Ministers in their very Pulpits , That Catholicks hold it an Article of Faith to Believe , That the POPE can Depose KINGS , Absolve their Subjects from their Allegiance , and Dispose of Kingdoms to whom He pleases : That to Murder Protestants , and Destroy the Nation by Fire and Sword , for propagation of the Catholick Faith , are Works of Piety , and Meritorious of Heaven . These , and the like Horrid Aspersions ; together with I know not what Feigned Idolatries , Superstitions , and Abuses , are ( as you have rightly Intimated , ) laid to the Charge of Roman Catholicks , whereby to render both their Faith and Persons Odious to many , ( otherwise Well-meaning ) People , who not sufficiently examining the Truth of Things , but taking all for granted , Judge nothing Ill enough can be said or done against Men so Principled . And is it not Strange and Severe , That Principles , and those pretended of Faith too , should be Imposed upon Men , which They Themselves Renounce and Detest ? If the Turk's Alcoran should in like manner be urg'd upon Us , and We hang'd up for Mahumetans , all we could do or say in such a Case , would be patiently to Die , with Protestation of our own Innocence . And this is the Posture of our present condition ; We Abhor , We Renounce , We Abominate such Principles ; We Protest against them , and Seal our Protestations with our Dying Breaths . What shall We say ? What can We do more ? To Accuse Men as Guilty in Matters of Faith , which They never own'd , is the same thing as to Condemn them for Matters of Fact , which they never did . You press the Question , and say , some of our General Councils , several Papal Decrees , and many of our Doctors and Divines , assert the fore-mentioned Principles . Sir , I have been Instructed in the Articles of my Faith , and I acknowledge the Lawful Authority of General Councils ; Yet I profess I never learnt , or found asserted in any of them any such Principles . And I propose unto You , this plain and short Dilemma ; Either the above-named Principles are esteem'd by Us ●● Matters of Faith or not : If they be , what further can be required of Us , than to Deny , and Forsake such a Faith ? And this We constantly do . But if They be not Matters of Catholick Faith , nor owned by Us as such , why are Catholicks , as Catholicks , punished for them ? Why is Our Religion Persecuted on that account ? Let those in Gods Name , if any there be , of what Religion soever , who hold such Tenents , suffer for them : Why should the Innocent be Involv'd with the Guilty ? There is neither Reason nor Justice in it . Hereunto some Persons , ( I hope out of Zeal and Misinformation , rather than Malice , ) stick not to say ; That Dispensations , and I know not what Indulgences and Pardons , wereby to Legitimate the Crimes of Lying and Forswearing , when the Interest of our Church requires ; is a main part of our Religion : And by Consequence , the Denyal of our Principles , is no sufficient Justification of our Innocence . I answer ; First , It is in the highest measure Censorious in any one , to Impose upon all Our Ancesters , and the greatest part of Mankind , who are , or have been Members of our Religion , such an Excess of Folly and Wickedness , as must needs have perverted all Humane Society . Secondly , If We could Lawfully Deny the Principles of our Faith when Interest requires ; Why have We lost Our Estates , Our Liberties , Our Lives for the Profession of it ? To what purpose are Oaths and Tests devised to intangle Us ? How Impertinently is the frequenting the Protestant Church , and Receiving the Communion , proposed unto Us , and Refused by Vs ? Thirdly , Though many Men may be induced to Lie , and Forswear , when they have some Hopes or Prospect thereby of Temporal Advantage ; Yet that Persons Dying for their Conscience and Religion , ( as divers have done , and those no Fools , even by the Confession of our Adversaries , ) should be so stupendiously Sottish and Mad , either to imagine , that Lies and Perjuries , for concealment of Treason , Murder , Massacre and Destruction of others by Fire and Sword , should be Acts of Virtue , pleasing to God , Dispensable by the Pope , and Meritorious of Heaven : Or that , on the contrary , Knowing , and Believing , ( as needs They must , ) such Monsters and Horrours to be Odious and Detestable in the sight both of God and Man , They should nevertheless , upon the very brink of Eternity , Wittingly and Willingly cast Themselves Head-long into an Assured Damnation ; and this at a Time when they might have saved both Bodies and Souls , by meerly Discharging a good Conscience , in acknowledging the Truth , and becoming Honest Men. This , I say is Inhumane , and contradictory to all Sense and Reason to believe . Now therefore I am come to what you so often , and so earnestly press me to , ( viz ) to satisfy the World , and clear my Self , my Fellow-sufferers , and my Religion , from the Imputation laid upon Us , on pretence of such Principles , by a True and Candid Explanation of my Belief and Judgement , in the Main Points of Faith and Loyalty , Controverted between Catholicks and Protestants , as they severally Relate to God , and the King. PARAGRAPH I. Of the CATHOLICK FAITH , and CHURCH in General . 1. THE Fruition of God , and Remission of Sin is not attainable by Man , otherwise then a in and by the Merits of Jesus Christ , who gratis Purchased It for Us. 2. These Merits of Christ are not applyed to Us , otherwise than by a Right b Faith in Christ . 3. This Faith is but c One , Entire and Conformable to its Object , being Divine Revelations ; to all which d Faith gives an undoubted Assent . 4. These Revelations contain many Mystcries e transcending the Natural Reach of Humane Wit or Industry ; Wherefore , 5. It became the Divine Wisdom and Goodness , to provide Man of some f Way or Means whereby he might Arrive to the Knowledge of these Mysteries ; Means g Visible and Apparent to all ; Means h proportionable to the Capacities of all ; Means i Sure and Certain to all . 6. This Way or Means is not the Reading of Scripture , Interpreted according to the Private k Reason or l Spirit of every Disjunctive Person , or Nation in Particular ; But , 7. It is an Attention and m Submission to the Doctrine of the Catholick or Vniversal Church , established by Christ for the Instruction of all , n Spread for that end throughout all Nations , and visibly continued in the Succession of Pastors , and People throughout all Ages : From which Church o Guided in Truth , and secured from Error in Matters of Faith , by the p promised Assistance of the Holy Ghost , every one may , and ought to q Learn both the Right Sense of the Scripture , and all other Christian Mysteries and Duties , respectively necessary to Salvation . 8. This Church , thus Spread , thus Guided , thus visibly Continued , r in One Vniform Faith , and Subordination of Government , is that Self-same which is termed the Roman Catholick Church , the Qualifications above-mentioned , ( viz. ) Vnity , Indeficiency , Visibility , Succession , and Vniversality , ) being applicable to no other Church , or Assembly , whatsoever . 9. From the Testimony and Authority of This Church , it is , that We Receive , and Believe the Scriptures to be Gods Word : And as She can s assuredly tell Us , This or That Book is Gods Word , so can she with the like Assurance , tell us also the True Sense and Meaning of it in Controverted Points of Faith ; The same Spirit that Writ the Scripture , t Enlightning Her to Understand , both It , and all Matters Necessary to Salvation . From These Grounds it Follows , 10. All , and only Divine Revelations deliver'd by God unto the CHURCH , and proposed by Her to be Believ'd as such , are , and ought to be esteem'd Articles of Faith ; and the contrary Opinions , Heresie . And , 11. As an Obstinate Separation from the Vnity of the Church , in known declared Matters of Faith , is Formal u Heresie ; So a wilful Separation from the Visible Vnity of the same Church , in Matters of Subordination and Government , is Formal x Schism . 12. The Church proposeth unto Us Matters of Faith : First , and chiefly , By the y Holy Scripture , in Points plain and Intelligible in it . Secondly , By z Definitions of General Councils , in Points not sufficiently Explained in Scripture . Thirdly , By a Apostolical Traditions , deriv'd from Christ and his Apostles , to all Succeding Ages . Fourthly , By her b Practice , Worship and Ceremonies , Confirming her Doctrine . PARAGRAPH II. Of Spiritual and Temporal Authority . 1. GEneral Councils ( which are the Church of God , Representative ) have no Commission from Christ to Frame New Matters of Faith , ( these being sole Divine Revelations , ) but only to a Explain and Assertain unto Us , what anciently was , and is Received and Retained , as of Faith in the Church , upon arising Debates and Controversies about them . The Definitions of which , General Councils in Matters of Faith only , and proposed as such , Oblige , under pain of Heresie , all the Faithful , to a Submission of Judgement . But , 2. It is no Article of Faith to believe , That General Councils cannot Err , either in Matters of Fact or Discipline , alterable by Circumstances of Time and Place , or in Matters of Speculation or Civil Policy , depending on meer Humane Judgement or Testimony . Neither of these being Divine Revelations b deposited in the Catholick Church , in regard to which alone , she hath the c promised Assistance of the Holy Ghost . Hence it is deduced , 3 If a General Council ( much less a Papal Consistory ) should underta●● 〈◊〉 depose a King , and absolve his Subjects from their Allegiance , no Catholick as Catholick is bound to submit to such a Decree . Hence also it followeth : 4. The Subjects of the King of England lawfully may , without the least breach of any Catholick Principle , Renounce , even upon Oath , the Teaching , Mantaining , or Practising the Doctrine of deposing Kings Excommunicated for Heresie , by any Authority whatsoever , as Repugnant to the fundamental Laws of the Nation , Injurious to Sovereign Power , Destructive to the Peace and Government ; and by consequence , in His Majesties Subjects , Impious and Damnable . Yet not properly Heretical , taking the Word Heretical in that connatural , genuine sense , it is usually understood in the Catholick Church ; on account of which , and other Expressions , ( no wise appertaining to Loyalty , ) it is , that Cathoclicks of tender consciences refuse the Oath commonly call'd the Oath of Allegiance . 5. Catholicks believe , That the Bishop of Rome is the Successor of S. Peter , d Vicar of Jesus Christ upon Earth , and Head of the whole Catholick Church ; which Church is therefore fitly stiled Roman Catholick , being an universal Body e united under one visible Head. Nevertheless . 6. It is no matter of Faith to believe , That the Pope is in himself Infallible , separated from a General Council , even in Expounding the Faith : By consequence Papal Definitions or Decrees , though ex Cathedra , as they term them , ( take exclusively from a General Council , or Vniversal Acceptance of the Church , ) oblige none under Pain of Heresy , to an interior Assent . 7. Nor do Catholicks as Catholicks believe that the Pope hath any direct , or indirect Authority over the Temporal Power and Jurisdiction of Princes . Hence , if the Pope should pretend to Absolve or Dispence with His Majesties Subjects from their Allegiance , upon account of Heresie or Schism , such Dispensation would be vain and null ; and all Catholick Subjects ( notwithstanding such Dispensation or Absolution , ) would be still bound in Conscience to defend their King and Countrey , at the hazard of their Lives and Fortunes , even against the Pope himself , in case he should invade the Nation . 8. And as for Problematical Disputes , or Errors of particular Divines , in this or any other matter whatsoever , the Catholick Church is no wise responsible for them : Nor , are Catholicks as Catholicks , justly punishable on their Account . But , 9. As for the King-Killing Doctrine , or Murder of Princes , Excommunicated for Heresie ; It is an Article of Faith in the Catholick Church , and expresly declared in the General Council of Constance , that such Doctrine is Damnable and Heretical , being contrary to the known Laws of God and Nature . 10. Personal Misdemeanors of what Nature soever , ought not to be Imputed to the Catholick Church , when not Justifyable by the Tenents of her Faith and Doctrine ; For which Reason though the Stories of the Paris Massacre ; the Irish Cruelties ; Or Powder-Plot , had been exactly true , ( which yet for the most part are Notoriously mis-related ) nevertheless Catholicks as Catholicks ought not to Suffer for such Offences , any more then the Eleven Apostles ought to have Suffered for Judas's Treachery . 11. It is an Article of the Catholick Faith to believe , that no Power on Earth can License Men to Lye , to Forswear , and Perjure themselves , to Massacre their Neighbours , or Destroy their Native Country , on pretence of promoting the Catholick Cause , or Religion ; Furthermore , all Pardons and Dispensations granted , or pretended to be granted , in order to any such ends or Designs , have no other validity or Effect , than to add Sacriledge and Blasphemy to the above-mentioned Crimes . 12. The Doctrine of Equivocation or Men●al Reservation , however wrongfully Imposed on the Catholick Religion , is notwithstanding , neither taught , nor approved by the Church , as any part of her Belief . On the contrary , Simplicity and Godly Sincerity are constantly recommended by her as truly Christian Vertues , necessary to the Conservation of Justice , Truth , and Common Society . PARAGRAPH III. Of some Particular controverted Points of FAITH . 1. EVERY Catholick is obliged to believe , that when a Sinner a Repenteth him of his Sins from the bottom of his Heart , and b Acknowledgeth his Transgressions to God and his c Ministers , the Dispensers of the Mysteries of Christ , resolving to turn from his evil ways , d and bring forth Fruits worthy of Penance , there is ( then and no otherwise ) an Authority left by Christ to Absolve such a Penitent Sinner from his Sins ; which Authority Christ gave his e Apostles , and their Successors , the Bishops and Priests of the Catholick Church , in those words , when he said , Receive ye the Holy Ghost , whose Sins you shall forgive , they are forgiven unto them , &c. 2. Though no Creature whatsoever can make f Condign satisfaction , either for the Guilt of Sin , or the Pain Eternal due to it ; g This satisfaction being proper to Christ our Saviour only ; yet penitent Sinners Redeemed by Christ , may , as Members of Christ , in some measure h satisfie by Prayer , Fasting , Alms , Deeds , and other Works of Piety , for the Temporal Pain , which by order of Divine Justice sometimes remains due , after the guilt of Sin , and Pains Eternal are ( gratis ) remitted . These Penitential Works are notwithstanding satisfactory no otherwise than as joyned and applyed to that satisfaction , which Jesus made vpon the Cross , in vertue of which alone , all our good works find a grateful i acceptance in God's Sight . 3. The Guilt of Sin , or Pain Eternal due to it , is never remitted by Indulgences ; but only such k Temporal Punishments as remain due after the Guilt is remitted ; These Indulgences being nothing else than a l Mitigation or Relaxation upon just causes , of Canonical Penances , enjoyned by the Pastors of the Church on Penitent Sinners , according to their several Degrees of Demerit . And if any abuses or mistakes be sometimes committed , in point either of Granting or Gaining Indulgencies , through the Remisness or Ignorance of particular Persons , contrary to the ancient Custom and Discipline of the Church ; such Abuses or Mistakes cannot rationally be charged on the Church , nor rendred matter of Derision , in prejudice to her Faith and Doctrine . 4. Catholicks hold there is a Purgatory , that is to say , a Place of state , where Souls departing this Life , with Remission of their Sins , as to the Eternal Guilt or Pain , yet m Obnoxious to some Temporal Punishment still Remaining due , or not perfectly freed from the Blemish of some n venial Defects or Deordinations , ( as Idle Words , &c. not liable to Damnation ) are o purged before their Admittance into Heaven , where nothing that is p defiled can enter . Furthermore . 5. Catholicks also hold , That such Souls so detained in Purgatory , being the Living Members of Christ Jesus , are Relieved by the q Prayers and Suffrages of their Fellow-members here on Earth : But where this place is ? Of what Nature or Quality the Pains are ? How long each Soul is detained there ? After what manner the Suffrages made in their behalf are applyed ? Whether by way of Satisfaction or Intercession ? &c. are Questions Superfluous , and Impertinent as to Faith. 6. No Man , though just , r can Merit either an Increase of Sanctity or Happiness in this Life , or Eternal Glory in the next , Independent on the Merits and Passion of Christ ; Nevertheless in and by the Merits of Christ Jesus , s the good Work of a just Man , proceeding from Grace and Charity , are acceptable to God , so far forth as to be , through his Goodness and Sacred Promise , Truly Meritorious of Eternal Life . 7. It is an Article of the Catholick Faith , That in the most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist , there is Truly and Really contained the t Body of Christ , which was delivered for us , and his Bloud , which was shed for the Remission of Sins ; the substance of Bread and Wine , being by the powerful Words of Christ changed into the Substance of his Blessed Body and Bloud , the Species or Accidents of Bread and Wine still remaining . Thus , 8. Christ is not present in this Sacrament , according to his natural way of Existence , that is , with extension of parts , in order to place , &c. but after a Supernatural manner , one and the same in many places , and whole in every part of the Symbols . This therefore is a real , Substantial , yet Sacramental Presence of Christ's Body and Blood , not exposed to the external Senses , nor Obnoxious to corporeal Contingences . 9. Neither is the Body of Christ in this Holy Sacrament , Separated from his Bloud , or his Bloud from his Body , or either of both disjoyned from his Soul and Divinity , but all and whole u living Jesus is entirely contained under either Species ; so that whosoever receiveth under one kind , is truly partaker of the whole Sacrament , and no wise deprived either of the Body or Bloud of Christ . True it is , 10. Our Saviour Jesus Christ left unto us his Body and Bloud , under two distinct Species or Kinds ; in doing of which , he instituted not only a Sacrament , but also a Sacrifice ; x a Commemorative Sacrifice distinctly y shewing his Death or Bloudy Passion , until he come . For as the Sacrifice of the Cross was performed by a distinct Effusion of Bloud , so is the same Sacrifice Commemorated in that of the z Altar , by a distinction of the Symbols . Jesus therefore is here given not only to us , but a for us ; and the Church thereby enriched with a true , proper , and propitiatory b Sacrifice , usually termed Mass . 11. Catholicks renounce all Divine Worship , and Adoration of Images or Picturs . c God alone we Worship and Adore ; nevertheless we make use of Pictures , and place them in d Churches and Oratories , to reduce our wandering thoughts , and Enliven our Memories towards Heavenly things . And farther , we allow a certain Honour and Veneration to the Picture of Christ , of the Virgin Mary , &c. beyond what is due to every Prophane Figure ; not that we believe any Divinity or Vertue in the Pictures themselves , for which they ought to be Honoured , but because the Honour given to Pictures is referred to the Prototype , or things represented . In like manner , 12. There is a kind of Honour and Veneration Respectively due to the Bible , to the Cross , to the Name of Jesus , to Churches , to the Sacraments , &c. as e things peculiarly appertaining to God ; also to the f glorified Saints in Heaven , as Domestick Friends of God ; yea , g to Kings , Magistrates , and Superiors on Earth , as the Vicegerents of God , to whom Honour is due , Honour may be given , without any Derogation to the Majesty of God , or that Divine Worship appropriate to him . Furthermore , 13. Catholicks believe , That the blessed Saints in Heaven replenished with Charity , h pray for us their fellow-Members here on Earth ; that they i Reioyce at our Conversion ; that seeing God , they k see and konw in him all things suitable to their happy state ; that God is Inclinable to hear their Requests made in our behalf , l and for their sakes grants Us many Favours ; That therefore it is Good and Profitable to Desire their Intercession ; And that this manner of Invocation is no more Injurious to Christ Our Mediator , nor Superabundant in it self , than it is for one Christian to beg the Prayers and Assistance of m another in this World. Notwithstanding all which , Catholicks are taught not so to Relie on the Prayers of Others , as to neglect their own n Duty to God ; in Imploring his Divine Mercy and Goodness , o in Mortifying the Deeds of the Flesh ; in p Despising the World ; in Loving and q Serving God and their Neighbour ; in Following the Footsteps of Christ our Lord , who is the r Way , the Truth , and the Life : To whom be Honour and Glory for ever and ever , Amen . The Conclusion . THese are the PRINCIPLES , These are the TREASONS , These are the IDOLATRIES , and SUPERSTITIONS , which , though no other than what We have Receiv'd of our Fore-fathers , and what the greatest part of the Christian World now profess , yet have drawn upon Us poor Catholicks in ENGLAND such Dreadful Punishments . I Beseech you Sir , consider our Case , without Passion or Prejudice , and I am confident you will see , We are not such Monsters as our Adversaries Represent Us to be , nor entertain such Principles as are Inconsistent with our Duty to GOD , and the KING . You seem to say , This very PLOT with which We are charged , proves Us Guilty of wicked Principles . But , under Favour , You here commit a Vicious Circle in way of Arguing : For first , here are wicked Principles alledg'd to make good the Proof of a PLOT ; And these being deny'd , the PLOT is introduced to make out the wicked Principles ; As if a Man should say a thing , because he thought so , and give no Reason why he thought so , but only because he said so ; which instead of Proof , is to beg the Question . Certain I am , Catholicks both Taught , and Practised Principles of Loyalty , at a Time when the KING and Kingdom felt the Dire Effects of contrary Perswasions . You add , The two Houses of Parliament , the Judges , and in a manner , the whole Nation , seem'd to Believe , and cry up the Evidence given of a PLOT . I answer , The most Upright Persons , and those even of Supreme Authority , may sometimes be misinform'd , and consequently abus'd , by the Perjury and Malice of wicked Men ; Especially when Minds are exasperated , Jealousies heightned , and Forgeries abetted and multiplyed by the clandestine endeavours of a Malignant Party , who love to Fish in Troubled Waters ; and who by raising Feuds , and Fomenting Disorders , make their way to sinister ends . You your self are sensible , there are a sort of People , who under a colourable Zeal against Popery , ( as they term it , ) strike at Monarchy , and undermine the Government . I shall not need to dilate on this Subject ; our Nation hath once had a sad Experience of this Zeal , and I heartily wish the same Tragedy may not be Acted over again . In Fine , whatsoever is pretended against Us , it is manifest We suffer for our Religion , wrongfully traduced . It is a farther Comfort to Us , that our Sufferings ( God be praised ) are in some measure , not unlike to those of Christ our Lord ; For it was laid to his Charge as it is to Ours , that he was a Traytor to a Caesar ; That he perverted the People , and endeavour'd the b Destruction of Church and State ; Nor were there wanting , then as now , an OATS and BEDLOE , c two false Witnesses to Swear all this . Thus God , I hope , hath Predestinated Us , ( as the Apostle saith ) to be conform to the Image of his Son ; to the end , that Suffering with Him , We may ( through his Mercy ) be Glorified together with him . Sweet Jesus Bless our Soveraign , Pardon our Enemies , Grant Us Patience , and Establish Peace and Charity in our Nation . This is the daily Prayer of , SIR , Your Faithful though Distressed Friend , M. B. Errors escaped in the Marginal Texts , Page 6. against Numb . 5. for Isa . 38. 8. r. Isa . 35. 8. Pag. 6. against Numb . 6. for Mat. 29. 29. r. Mat. 22. 29. Pag. 12. against Numb . 1. for Luk. 3. 18. r. Luk. 3. 8. Pag. 13. against Numb . 2. for Acts 10. 44. r. Acts 10. 4. Psalm 35. Verse 11. FALSE WITNESSES did rise up ; they laid to my Charge things that I knew not . Matthew 5. Verse 11. Blessed are ye when Men shall Revile you , and Persecute you , and shall say all manner of Evil against you FALSLY , for my sake ; Rejoyce and be glad , for great ir your Reward in Heaven . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A34571-e140 Miseries inflicted on Catholicks . Through the Perjuries , Of Wicked Men. Evil Principles wrongfully Imputed . And always disown'd by Catholicks . An Objection , Answered . The Intent of this Epistle . Redemption in Christ , a Eph. 2. 8. 1 ▪ Cor. 15. 22. applicable by Faith. b Mark 16 16. Heb. 11. 6. Which is but One , c Eph. 4. 4. &c , d Jam. 2. 10 Supernatural , e 1 Cor. 1. 20. Mat. 16. 17 By the Divine Providence to be Learnt , f Isa . 38 ▪ 8. g Joh. 9. 41 h Mat. 11 25. i John 15. 22. Not from private Interpretation of Scripture . k 2 Pet. 3. 16. Pro. 14. 12. Mat. 29. 29 l 1 Joh. 4. 1. & 6. m Matth. 18. 17. Luk ▪ 10. 16 n Psal . 2. 8. Isa . 2. 2. &c. cap. 49. 6 ▪ Matt. 5. 14 o Isai . 59. 21. Joh. 16. 13. Eze. 17. 26 Eph. 5. 25 ▪ &c. 1 Tim. 3. 15 Mat ▪ 16. 18 p Mat. 28 20. Joh. 14. 16. and guided by the Holy Ghost for that end . q Deu. 17. 8. &c. Mat. 23. 2. This Church is the same with the Roman Catholick , r Can. 6. 8. Joh. 10. 16. Rom. 15. 5. Joh. 17. 22. Philip. 2. 2. From the Testimony of which , we receive the Scripture to be Gods Word . s Mat. 16. 18 1 Tim. 3. 15 Mat. 18. 17 ▪ t Isai . 59. 21. Joh. 14. 26. Divine Revelations only Matters of Faith. Divine Revelations only Matters of Faith. What Heresie , & what Sckism ! u 1 Cor. 11. 19. Mat. 18. 17 x Tit. 3. 10 1 Cor. 1. 10 cap. 12. 25 How Matters of Faith are proposed by the Church . y Joh. 5. 39 z Acts. 15. per tot . a 2 Thes . 2. 15. cap. 3. 6. 2 Tim. 2. 2. b Jam. 2. 18. What is the Authority of General Councils . Gal. 1. 7 , 8. a Deu. 17. 8. Mat 18. 17. Act. 15. per tot . Lu. 10. 16. Heb. 13. 7. 17. An Explanation of the same Authority . b 1 Tim. 6. 20. c Jo 14. 16. A Deduction from thence concerning Allegiance A second Deduction concerning the same , Declar. fac . Sorb . Of the Oath of Allegiance . The Bishop of Rome Supreme Head of the Church but not Infallible . d Mat. 16. 17. Lu. 22. 31. Jo. 21 : 17. e Eph. 4. 11 , &c. Nor hath any Temporal Authority over Princes . 1 Pet. 2. v. 12 , &c. The Church not responsible for the Errors of particular Divines . King-Killine , Doctring Damnable Heresie . Conc. Const . S●ss , 15. Personal misdemeanours not to be imputed to the Church . No Power on Earth can authorise Men to Lie , Forswear , Murther , &c. Equivocation not allowed in the Church . 2 Cor. 1. 12 Of Sacramental Absolution . a Ez. 18. 21. 2 Cor. 7. 10 b Ps . 32. 5. Pro. 28. 13. c Act. 19. 18. 1 Cor. 4. 1. d Lu. 3. 18. Jam ▪ 5. 16. e Joh. 20. 21 , &c Mat 18. 18. f Tit. 3. 5. Of Satisfaction by penitential works . g 2 Cor. 3. 5. h Act. 26. 20. Jonas 3. 5. &c. Psa . 102. 9. &c. Ps . 109. 23. Dan. 9. 3. Jo●● 2. 12. Luk 11. 41. Act. 10. 44. i 1 Pe. 2. 5. Indulgences are not Remission of Sins , but only of Canonical Penances . k 1 Cor. 5. 3. &c. l 2 Cor. 2. 6. Abuses herein not to be charged on the Church . There is a Purgatory or State , where Souls departing this Life with some blemish are purify'd m Numb . 14. 20 , &c. 2 Sam. 12. 13. &c. n Pro. 24. 16. Ma. 12. 36. and cap. 5. 22. 26. o Mat. 5. 26 1 Cor. 3. 15. p Rev. 21. 27. Prayers for the Dead available to them . q 1 Cor. 15 29. Coll. 1. 24. 2 Mac , 12. 42 , &c. 1 Jo. 5. 16. Superfluous Questions about Purgatory . r Jo. 15. 5. 16. Of the merit of good Works , through the merits of Christ . s Mat. 16. 27 Cap. 5. 12. Cap 10. 42. 2 Cor 5. 10 2 Tim. 4. 8. Christ really present in the Sacrament of the Eucharist . t Mat. 26. 26. Mar 14. 22. Lu. 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11. 23. &c. Cap. 10. 16. But after a supernatural manner . Whole Christ in either species . Hence Communicants under under one kind nowise deprived either of the Body or Bloud of Christ . u Jo. 6. 48 50 , 51. 57. 58. Acts 2. 42. Of the Sacrifice of the Mass . x Luk. 22. 19 , &c. y 1 Cor. 11. 26. z Heb. 13. 10. a Lu. 22. 19. b Mal. 1. 11. Wo●ship of Images wrongfuly Imposed on Catholicks . Yet there is some Veneration due both to Pictures , c Luk 4. 8. d Ex. 25. 18. 1 Kin. 6. 35 Luke 3. 22. Num 21. 8. Acts 5. 15. And other sacred things . e Jos . 7. 6. Exod. 3. 5. f Jo. 12. 26. Psa . 99. 5. Phil. 2. 10. g 1 Pet. 2. 17. Luk. 3. 16. Act. 19. 12. Ron. 13. 7. Prayer to Saints lawful . h Rev. 5. 8. i Lu. 15. 7. k 1 Cor. 13. 12. l Ex. 32. 13 2 Chron. 6. 42. m Romons 15. 30. Yet so as not to neglect our Duties . n Jam. 2. 17. 30 , &c. o Rom. 13 14. p Ro. 12. 2. q Gal. 5. 6. r Joh. 14. 6 A Conclusion from the Premimises . An Objection Answered . A second Objection Answered Catholicks suffer for their Religion . Their Sufferings not unlike to those of Christ our Lord. a Luk. 23. 2 b Jo. 11. 48 c Matt. 26 60 ▪ Rom. 8. 29 Ver. 17.